Preparedness has been a way of life, taught to me through example, by my parents and grandparents.  My grandparents were not a “preppers”—they were smart, hard-working farmers, who knew how to make the best of their resources—growing and canning their own food and being happy with what they had.

 

My parents followed that example and even though we lived in the city, we gardened, canned and worked hard to be self-reliant.  Our garage was full of shelves filled with food, water and paper goods.

 

When my father lost his job for a year, we hardly noticed any difference in our lifestyle because of the preparation that my parents had previously done.  There was, however, one thing that was different that year and that was our Christmas celebration—my parents decided to have a “food storage” Christmas.

 

While we all got a couple of “normal” gifts (toys, clothes, etc), the most memorable ones were the “food storage” ones.  Even to this day, I can remember the excitement when one of us received a #10 can full of delicious roasted almonds and the laughter when our brother unwrapped a case of toilet paper!

 

I must say, that as a child, I wasn’t sure how my friends would react when they asked me what I got for Christmas, and I replied with “A case of canned pineapple”, but many years later, when we talk of Christmases past, that Christmas comes up as one of the most fun and memorable.

 

As preparedness becomes a way of life, we find ways to incorporate it into all aspects of our lives—even Christmas!

 

A.L. CA

 

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91 Comments

Kathleen · April 23, 2012 at 12:45 am

What a great story! I give this my vote.

Kathleen · April 23, 2012 at 12:47 am

I give this vote #2

Kathleen · April 23, 2012 at 12:47 am

I give this vote #3!

Kirk · April 24, 2012 at 4:21 am

You are the best. Thanks for preparing!

Kirk · April 24, 2012 at 4:26 am

I loved our “preparedness” Christmas too. Your parents were great examples.

Ammon · April 24, 2012 at 4:26 am

Mom, you’re the best!

W Perkins · April 24, 2012 at 4:59 am

Makes me think I need to do better 🙂

CZ · April 24, 2012 at 12:23 pm

We had a preparedness Christmas once too! I think the person who got a giant case of Ramen was the most happy. I think I got wheat.

Steve · April 24, 2012 at 12:25 pm

Great story – the prepared pineapple.

Steve · April 24, 2012 at 12:26 pm

Thanks a lott for the great Christmas preparedness story!

Doug · April 24, 2012 at 12:52 pm

This is great. More should spend their money on what mattters.

Doug · April 24, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Wast it the ‘good’ TP?

Doug · April 24, 2012 at 12:54 pm

great story

Doug · April 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Well written

Doug · April 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm

How old were you when this story happened? T-4?

tess · April 24, 2012 at 1:33 pm

great story! vote #1

tess · April 24, 2012 at 1:34 pm

vote #2

Steve · April 24, 2012 at 2:29 pm

So, if these were Christmas presents, could you legitimately “play with your food?”

Steve · April 24, 2012 at 2:42 pm

A year’s worth of food is eaten in days on a Christmas cruise. Better to cruise down the grocery aisle a few days and eat for a year.

Steve · April 24, 2012 at 2:47 pm

Give me 23 things to do with 24 cans of pineapple that have nothing to do with food and we’ll have the best pineapple in the world!

Paul · April 24, 2012 at 3:12 pm

What a great story, Amy!

Paul · April 24, 2012 at 3:13 pm

It will be so much easier when the real emergency comes if “preparedness” is a way of life, rather than an “occasional activity”.

Paul · April 24, 2012 at 3:17 pm

I can remember how our food storage saw us through tight times, especially in grad school and my early career. We still rely on it almost every day, rather than running to the store for every little thing. It’s a great gas-saver!

Paul · April 24, 2012 at 3:19 pm

We try to store not just enough for us, but some extra, too, so we can barter with others for things we don’t have or run out of. We especially keep an extra supply of salt, pepper, and other spices–things people paid dearly for back in ancient times to literally “spice up their lives”.

Paul · April 24, 2012 at 3:23 pm

We’ve done “food storage Christmas”, too, and the kids had a great time with it. BUT, they made it abundantly clear that it shouldn’t be the norm! HOwever, depending on their circumstances each year, we have put food storage items under the Christmas tree for individual families. THese have been much appreciated and well-received.

Marilee · April 24, 2012 at 3:55 pm

I love this story–what a great way to make preparedness a way of life!~

Mark Bench · April 24, 2012 at 5:43 pm

Not sure if your parents hated or loved you…

L. Clark · April 24, 2012 at 6:16 pm

Its important to remember family members who we live by too!

LC · April 24, 2012 at 6:18 pm

Good point, to remember . Our elderly parents.

Crescent · April 24, 2012 at 7:19 pm

If only we all could be this prepared.

Rachael · April 24, 2012 at 11:22 pm

This is so great 🙂 reminds me a little of some things my parents did. Great story Amy!

Rachael · April 24, 2012 at 11:23 pm

And I want a number 10 can of roasted almonds!

Rachael · April 24, 2012 at 11:25 pm

I think we might need to do a food storage christmas this year! I love it!

Rachael · April 24, 2012 at 11:26 pm

mmm prepared pineapple 🙂

Rachael · April 24, 2012 at 11:28 pm

and vote #5. I really love provident living and being prepared. This is a great story to keep the enthusiasm alive 🙂

Ammon · April 25, 2012 at 3:28 am

I have to give all my votes to my momma! She and grandpa and grandma taught us well.

Ammon · April 25, 2012 at 3:28 am

vote 3

Ammon · April 25, 2012 at 3:29 am

vote 4

Kirk · April 25, 2012 at 4:12 am

That was like being country before country was cool

Kirk · April 25, 2012 at 4:17 am

Melee Kalikimaka

Kirk · April 25, 2012 at 4:20 am

Santa Claus needs to rearange his list for this day and age

Mary Hardin · April 26, 2012 at 12:42 am

Great story! It makes a great gift for students as well.

Mary Hardin · April 26, 2012 at 12:43 am

A very practical Santa!

Mary Hardin · April 26, 2012 at 12:44 am

A great story- makes me recall Christmases in my past:)

Mary Hardin · April 26, 2012 at 12:45 am

Amy, what did you get your parents that year? did you go along with the food storage theme?

Mary Hardin · April 26, 2012 at 12:47 am

You get my last vote. I have decided to get my children emergency preparedness items for birthdays as well as Christmas. I want them to be prepared for what may come!

Matthew Hardin · April 26, 2012 at 12:56 am

Great story!!!

enoch · April 26, 2012 at 2:37 am

Wow, this story was one of the best I’ve seen on this page!

enoch · April 26, 2012 at 2:38 am

It just keep gettin’ better and better!

enoch · April 26, 2012 at 2:39 am

Does anyone else like this story as much as I do?

Kristin White · April 26, 2012 at 2:40 am

Good story! I think that this is a great idea for all of us to think about!

enoch · April 26, 2012 at 2:40 am

Does anyone else like this story as much as I do?!

enoch · April 26, 2012 at 2:42 am

How has ever seen a story this well written?

AL · April 26, 2012 at 4:15 am

Thanks everyone for the love. I guess I will vote for myself, because I will share whatever prize I get! 🙂

AL · April 26, 2012 at 4:16 am

We actually do the preparedness Christmases with our kids now too.

AL · April 26, 2012 at 4:16 am

I’m too practical to get them junk they don’t need.

Caleb · April 26, 2012 at 4:17 am

I’ve got to vote for my mom!

Caleb · April 26, 2012 at 4:18 am

Mom, what am I getting for next Christmas?

Caleb · April 26, 2012 at 4:20 am

I want pinto beans for Christmas haha

    Crescent · April 27, 2012 at 3:51 am

    Thanks for the tip Caleb! Know I know what to get you this year 🙂

Caleb · April 26, 2012 at 4:23 am

Just for your information, I don’t have a boxspring under my mattress, I have #10 cans holding up my bed–that’s how my mom rolls.

Caleb · April 26, 2012 at 4:24 am

i love you mom!

Leah · April 26, 2012 at 4:25 am

I’m going to your house when the world comes to an end.

Leah · April 26, 2012 at 4:25 am

Oh. And I’m bringing all my friends.

Leah · April 26, 2012 at 4:27 am

Peaches are my favorite. Make sure to stock up on those. Thanks!

Leah · April 26, 2012 at 4:27 am

I knew I was marrying Ammon for a reason!

Leah · April 26, 2012 at 4:29 am

But in all seriousness, being prepared is very important in these ever-so difficult times. Great story!

ammon · April 26, 2012 at 4:32 am

What a good story! We had a similiar christmas growing up, and it remains one of my favorite memories!

Nephi · April 26, 2012 at 4:37 am

This is a great story, and it rings true in my own memories no less. Vote #1 for sure.

Nephi · April 26, 2012 at 4:39 am

I like this story as much as you do, Enoch.

Nephi · April 26, 2012 at 4:40 am

I remember the Christmases like that too, Ammon. those were some good times. simple, yet effective.

Nephi · April 26, 2012 at 4:40 am

and since I can’t think of what else to add, here’s vote #4 anyways.

Nephi · April 26, 2012 at 4:41 am

and vote #5. now I am done.

EL · April 26, 2012 at 4:48 am

you have my vote

EL · April 26, 2012 at 4:49 am

you have my vote again

EL · April 26, 2012 at 4:52 am

and again

EL · April 26, 2012 at 4:53 am

and once more

Erica · April 26, 2012 at 12:36 pm

I remember a Great friend that use to live next to me, this neighbor taught me how important it is to have storage and crazy ways to hide the storage. That time living next to her was by far one of the best living spots. Not a fancy house, no amazing landscaping, when you walked into the house old worn furniture, no cable, not much of a TV. Most people would have wondered but that time living there taught me what was/is important and who cares what others think. To this day I have yet to find a neighbor like that family.
Thanks A!

Joan Christiansen · April 26, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Amy lives these principles…she is a great manager!

Joan Christiansen · April 26, 2012 at 4:21 pm

I think we should have more Christmas Holidays like this. Thanks for the reminder!

Joan Christiansen · April 26, 2012 at 4:22 pm

O.K. Third comment…A bag of food makes a great pillow!

Joan Christiansen · April 26, 2012 at 4:22 pm

Fourth: I vote for Amy…in all seriousness!

Joan Christiansen · April 26, 2012 at 4:24 pm

My fifth vote goes to Amy’s article about a Preparedness Christmas. It is good for children to learn more creative gift giving!

Melody Ivie · April 27, 2012 at 1:44 am

Amy knows food storage. She has taught us all a thing or two!

Crescent · April 27, 2012 at 3:43 am

What a wonderful story!

Crescent · April 27, 2012 at 3:45 am

Sounds like it would be a fun idea to try sometime with my family.

EL · April 27, 2012 at 3:46 am

I have one last vote that goes to my mom. you have taught us well.

Crescent · April 27, 2012 at 3:48 am

It’s very creative.

Crescent · April 27, 2012 at 3:50 am

When you are prepared, you are never in need.

AL · April 27, 2012 at 3:54 am

Thanks Kellene for this opportunity! This helped bring back some good memories.

AL · April 27, 2012 at 3:59 am

My son gets married this Saturday and we got them 72-hour packs for one of their gifts. 🙂

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